"Be sure of that," I said, "and I feel that I shall be able to further your heart's wishes."
On the third day certain ideas had taken some kind of practicable shape, and I determined3 to set to work. I must mention that I visited Mrs. Middlemore regularly during my deliberations, and had taken the rooms which had been inhabited by M. Felix. She had no news of the slightest importance to communicate to me although she was in the mood to make mountains out of molehills. Nothing further had transpired4 in the Gerard Street house; no person had called to make inquiries5, and she had not been upset by any more false messages. I saw my little friend Sophy also. She was as cheery and sharp as ever, and she informed me that "Aunty was ever so much nicer than she used to be," and I expressed my delight at the good report.
"But I say," remarked Sophy, "ain't yer got nothink to give me to do for yer?"
"Not just yet, Sophy," I replied. "Presently, perhaps."
"The sooner the better," said Sophy. "I likes to be busy."
"You will not go away, Sophy? I may want you at any moment."
"I shall be ready for yer. I'll do anythink for yer, never mind what it is."
I explained to her on my last visit that I should not see her for a week or so, as I was going out of London upon particular business, and that while I was away she was to keep her eyes open. If she happened to see the man who had sent her aunt on a false errand to the Bow Street Police Court she was to follow him secretly and find out where he lived, and upon my return to London she was to tell me everything that had happened. Satisfied with her assurances of obedience6 I left the grateful little creature, and an hour later was closeted with Emilia. I had not yet informed her of the trick which had been played upon Mrs. Middlemore, and of the disappearance7 of the revolver; I did so now, and asked if she had any suspicion who the man was.
"No," she replied, "I cannot imagine."
"Describe Dr. Peterssen's appearance to me," I said, "as you last saw him." She did so, and I continued, "It is as I supposed. He is the man who gave Mrs. Middlemore the false message, and got her out of the house to afford him the opportunity of obtaining what he wanted. Money, of course, if he could lay his hand on any, but chiefly papers and documents which might be valuable to him in the future--documents probably connected with your story."
"Why should he wish to obtain possession of such things?" asked Emilia. "They can be of no use to him he dare not appear."
"Publicly he dare not; privately8 he may. You know of his visit to M. Felix; he does not know of yours. Say that he succeeded in obtaining possession of something which would establish your marriage." Emilia clasped her hands. "He would surely conceive the plan of discovering where you were, and coming to you privately for the purpose of making a bargain for these proofs."
"I would give him anything--everything," exclaimed Emilia.
"That is certain," I said, "and it might be worth while to come to terms with him; but I should not allow him to rob you. M. Felix, so far as we know, did not make a will. Doubtless he has left property of some kind, and should your marriage be proved the property would be yours. Indeed, in that case it would be yours if M. Felix were living and in this room at the present moment."
Emilia shuddered9, and looked around timorously10.
"Have you any idea what can have become of his body?" she asked in a whisper.
"No; I can form no theory upon that mystery. I would give a great deal to unravel11 it."
"Is it possible that Dr. Peterssen can have taken it away?"
"It is more than possible, it is probable; but his motive12 for doing so is as great a mystery as the disappearance of the body without his intervention13. A deliberate act of that kind is done with a deliberate motive, and I can think of none which would prompt him to carry into execution a scheme so full of risk. And now listen attentively14 to what I say. Setting aside the danger attendant upon your nocturnal visit to M. Felix--a danger which I trust will in time entirely disappear--it is of the highest importance to you that you should obtain proof of your marriage with Gerald Paget."
"It is all I desire," said Emilia. "That obtained, I should be content to die."
"It will be better to live, to draw happiness from the union of your daughter and Julian Bordier. My plan is this: That you and I go to your native town, and starting from the house of the maiden15 ladies who were so good to you on the night of the fire, endeavor to trace the road you took when you flew from the shelter they gave you. You remember the river----"
"I can never, never forget it," said Emilia, "nor the fearful thoughts which seemed to force me toward it."
"There will be little difficulty in ascertaining16 your route thus far on your journey. From that point we will make inquiries, and it may be that we shall succeed in discovering the road the kind old wagoner took toward his home. That done, all the rest is easy."
"Dear friend," she said, pressing my hand, "how can I thank you?"
"Thank me when success crowns our efforts. Are you ready to take the journey? We will start to-morrow morning."
"But Constance!" she exclaimed. "She cannot go with us. She is ignorant of my sad story."
"Let her remain so. I have provided for her comfort while we are away. I have spoken to my mother--a lady in whom you can place implicit19 confidence--and she will be glad if your daughter will accept her hospitality during our absence. You may trust her; your daughter will be well cared for."
"I know that, I know that," said Emilia, her tears overflowing20. "But what have I done to merit such goodness? What claim have I upon you?"
"The claim of a helpless, persecuted21 lady," I replied, gently. "What I do is willingly, cheerfully done. Accept my offer, and you will make me your debtor22. It will be ample reward if I succeed."
"God is very good to me," she murmured. "Thankfully, gratefully do I accept it."
"That is well. You had better arrange to retain these rooms, and we will leave my mother's address with the landlady23, in case the Bordiers should come and make inquiries."
"You think it right that they should see us?" inquired Emilia.
"You will be acting24 injuriously to yourself if you affect any secrecy25. Certainly they must see you and your daughter; their first inquiries will be for you and you will lay yourself open to the worst construction if you keep out of their way. Be advised by me."
"I will, in all things."
"My sister will accompany us on our journey. It will be pleasant for you to have a lady companion, and it will leave me free to make any inquiries that may suggest themselves."
She appreciated the delicacy26 of the act and it was arranged that I should call for her and Constance in the evening to conduct them to my mother's house. This was done, and in the morning Emilia, my sister, and I started on our journey.
I will waste no words in a description of our proceedings27. There was no difficulty in finding the house in which the kind maiden sisters had resided, and from the street in which it was situated28 there was but one outlet29 to the open country. From the time occupied by Emilia in her flight on that never-to-be-forgotten night I judge that she must have walked some eleven or twelve miles, and at about that distance from the town lay the river Arbor30. There we halted on the second day of our journey, and from that spot our real difficulties began. There was the hill Emilia had mounted, on the crown of which she had fallen in a state of exhaustion31, with the river stretching to the left of her. It was inevitable32 that my sister should be taken into our confidence, and in the distressing33 reminiscences which the scene recalled to Emilia she was a true solace34 to the poor lady. I gently wooed her to describe the impressions of that terrible night's wanderings, and had any doubts been in my mind as to the truth of her story the pathos35 of that recital36 would have effectually dispelled37 them. But I entertained no doubts, and more strongly than ever did I resolve to champion her cause and not to relinquish38 it till success rewarded me, or absolute failure stared me in the face. As Emilia's suffering tones fell upon my ears I could almost hear the tinkling39 bells of the horses in the wagon17 and the driver's kindly40 exhortations41 to his cattle. He came in view, in my fancy, and spoke18 to Emilia, and receiving no encouraging answer, passed down the hill with his team. He returned and addressed her again, and she implored42 him to save her from the river. Supported by him, she descended43 the hill, and was lifted into the wagon, where she lay in a blind stupor44 of forgetfulness and insensibility. I declare that I saw the pictures of this human agony as if they were actually presented to my sight. As for my good sister, she was continually wiping the tears from her eyes, and when we reached the bottom of the hill, and Emilia said, "It was here the wagon stood, I think," she pressed the unfortunate lady in her arms, and they mingled45 their tears together.
It was at this spot, I repeat, that our real difficulties began, for at about a couple of hundred yards along the road the wagon must have taken (there being no other) it branched out in three directions, north, south, and east. Now, which road led to the wagoner's home?
Emilia could not inform us. We took one, the broadest--though why he should have selected the broadest instead of the narrowest I cannot explain, all three roads being equally available for horse traffic--and pursued it for a mile or so, and were confronted by four cross roads, which multiplied our difficulty. I will not enlarge upon the labor46 of this perplexing enterprise. It is sufficient to say that at the end of the twelfth day I was compelled to confess that we were as far from success as on the first day of our journey. Of course I made innumerable inquiries, but I was speaking of eighteen years ago, and I could not elicit47 the slightest information of a reliable nature to guide me in the search we were prosecuting48. I spared no labor, and although I was greatly discouraged I did not allow my companions to observe my despondency. At length I came to the conclusion that it would be useless to employ further time in the quest, and I told Emilia and my sister that we should return to London on the morrow. Emilia looked at me mournfully.
"Don't feel down-hearted," I said, with a cheerful smile. "This is the smallest arrow in my quiver. I have a surer one to adjust when we reach town."
It was touching49 when we arrived at my mother's house, to see the meeting between Emilia and her daughter. We left them to themselves awhile, and when they joined us I conveyed to Emilia a pressing request from my mother that they would stop with her as long as they remained in London. It needed persuasion50 to induce Emilia to comply, but she saw that Constance wished her to accept, and she did so with much grace, but with a humbleness51 of manner which powerfully affected52 me. Constance had some news to communicate. The Bordiers had arrived in London, and had visited her. I was impressed by a certain tremulousness in her voice as she spoke of them, but I made no comment upon it, not feeling myself warranted to intrude53 upon her confidence.
"My mother's house is open to your friends," I said. "They will be always welcome here."
She thanked me, and shortly afterward54 I was hurrying to the W. C. district, first to present myself at the office of the Evening Moon, and afterward to go to my chambers55, where, in response to a telegram I had forwarded from the country, I expected a visitor.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
deviate
|
|
| v.(from)背离，偏离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
transpired
|
|
| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
disappearance
|
|
| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
privately
|
|
| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
timorously
|
|
| adv.胆怯地，羞怯地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
unravel
|
|
| v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
intervention
|
|
| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
ascertaining
|
|
| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
wagon
|
|
| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
implicit
|
|
| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
overflowing
|
|
| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
persecuted
|
|
| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
debtor
|
|
| n.借方，债务人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
landlady
|
|
| n.女房东，女地主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
secrecy
|
|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
situated
|
|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
outlet
|
|
| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
arbor
|
|
| n.凉亭；树木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
exhaustion
|
|
| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
distressing
|
|
| a.使人痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
solace
|
|
| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
pathos
|
|
| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
recital
|
|
| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
dispelled
|
|
| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
relinquish
|
|
| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
tinkling
|
|
| n.丁当作响声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
exhortations
|
|
| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
stupor
|
|
| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
labor
|
|
| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
elicit
|
|
| v.引出,抽出,引起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
prosecuting
|
|
| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
persuasion
|
|
| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
humbleness
|
|
| n.谦卑，谦逊；恭顺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
intrude
|
|
| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |